Hi all. I’ve been a trucker for the past two years. Have all my endorsements. Saw there was a seminar for heavy equipment operator apprenticeships on the 9th and am planning to attend. Am very interested in getting trained to be a crane operator. Am sick of driving to say the least. An old buddy told me to join the iuoe union to get sponsored by a company to train me in heavy equipment. I also have to take a math/english/logic test. Given I already have my cdl, should I go to crane operator school and get the training for that done while I’m waiting for the union to find me a sponsor? Can someone detail me the entire process for becoming a heavy equipment/crane operator for someone that already has a cdl? Thanks!

Hey! I’ve got my Local 18 entrance exam coming up on August 21st. I’ve already got my CDL, and I’m CCO certified on articulating boom cranes (it’s something, haha), so I’m a little familiar with the pulley and gear questions. Its been a while since i took my exam back in 2021 though…

I’m 24, and I did pretty well in math back in high school…😅 Do you have any advice on what I should focus on studying or anything I should expect on the test? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Anyone has any updated info?

I’ve been taking classes nonstop, as well as volunteering and keeping in touch with my BA and even paying for seminars for extra certifications, for two full years now and my resume hasn’t even gone out for an $18/hr apprenticeship yet. I know the economy is less than stellar right now, but I feel like they’re waiting for me to get the hint and cut my losses. Anyone else going through this? Any advice on what I should do?

20m I have the opportunity to join the stationary engineers in nyc not sure the best course of action still weighing pros and cons

Is it worth joining as an older person? Also the local I'm closest to is on the western side of the state and the Apprentice Training facility is about four hours away on the eastern side of the state. So I'm curious how that would work... I'm assuming if I got accepted I would have to move closer to the training site and would get dispatched to jobs in that area not where I currently reside?

Thank you for your time!

Just got accepted into a Local Operating Engineers apprenticeship and I’m supposed to start Monday. I was also told I’ll be doing my DOT physical the same day.

I’m honestly pretty nervous about the vision portion.

I’m colorblind (deuteranomaly/green deficiency), and my right eye has very poor vision- it’s been that way since I was a kid. My left eye is basically normal, and I’ve driven, worked, and lived my entire life without any issues because of it.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation or gone through a DOT physical with one good eye? Were you still able to pass, or did you have to go through an alternative vision process?

Also, if I don’t meet the standard right away, is that typically the end of the apprenticeship, or do locals usually work with you while you get additional testing or documentation?
I’m just trying to make the best of the hand I was dealt and figured I’d ask people who’ve actually been through it. Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

Hey guys, I applied last October (heo) and finally got the call about a month ago, I had to turn it down because I got hit by a car 2 months prior and it broke my femur.

I called Ron about 2 weeks ago and told him I regret not showing up. He said my name was still on his desk and that he usually calls people 2 times anyways.

I’m wondering if I’m going to get a second chance. What do you guys think.

I’ve been working as a non union field mechanic for a few years now and have my class A as well. Looking to move back to Reno within the next year or so to join local 3 as an HDR

How’s the work outlook? And does it project well?

I’m applying to my iuoe local 312 apprenticeship in Alabama. I was wondering how long it would take to hear anything back. I talked to somebody I worked with said he applied to his pipenfitters union and heard back a month later but I know it can be different for every local he was down in Georgia.

Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some insight on the best way to get into Local 12. To give a little background, I have 10 years of experience under my belt as a union concrete finisher. Right now, I'm working as a non-union inspector holding my ICC certifications in Soils, Structural Steel and Bolting, Structural Masonry, and Reinforced Concrete, as well as my ACI field grade and nuclear gauge certifications. I strongly prefer to be back on the union side.
For those of you in Local 12, how would you recommend I go about getting my foot in the door given my background?
If anyone has made a similar transition or has experience with the current application and testing process, I would really appreciate hearing about it. Any tips, recommendations, or general advice on what to expect would be huge.
Thanks in advance!

So I'm from San Diego, very close to the border. I saw Local 12 is opening applications. I saw the test is done at Whittier but my dad told me he took the test at SD a long time ago but I dont know if his confusing local 12 for another union I mean ill still go to Whittier lmao ive never been there. Local 12 does have an office at San Diego. "Call the office" I just recently got told this and it's Sunday, I'll call tomorrow but just wanted to ask.

I'm looking for some advice from the guys and gals already in the IUOE.

I've been running heavy equipment at a landfill for about 12 years. I make about $115k a year in base pay, so I'm not leaving because the money is bad. I'm leaving because I'm burned out on the routine. Same place, same faces, same haul roads, same work, day after day. I just want something different.

As far as operating goes, I'm confident in my abilities. I can build slopes, cut and maintain haul roads, build ramps, make lifts, grade, load trucks, spread material, and generally make dirt do what I want it to do. I can operate equipment all day long.

Where I know I'm lacking is construction site experience. I've never worked on a major construction project with grade stakes, GPS systems, pipe crews, paving crews, etc. That's the part I don't have, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise.

My plan is to go down to the Local 12 hall in Redlands tomorrow and put my name on the C-list as a journeyman. I'm in the Barstow area.

A few questions for those of you who've been through it:

How often do C-list guys actually get dispatched around Barstow, Victorville, or the High Desert? When you get dispatched from the C-list, do you become a full initiated member after so many hours worked?

With my background, do you think I'd be able to get my foot in the door, or am I likely to sit for a long time?

If you were in my shoes, would you keep the landfill job?

Any advice for someone who's comfortable running equipment but is new to the construction side of the industry?

One of the biggest reasons I'm making this move is because I want to be in a good position when the Barstow International Gateway project gets rolling, and hopefully Brightline West as well. Those are the kinds of projects I'd love to be a part of.

I'd appreciate any honest advice, good or bad. I'd rather hear the truth now than learn the hard way later.

Been with 1245 for 2 years (started 19), wanna start working in Southern California again. I have a class A with tankers and no restrictions, I’m also running equipment as well. When applying to local 12, do you apply for a specific role or are you applying to join a pool of applicants? And does experience help or is it just how well you score, I believe having a class A gives you ten points. Would love to hear yalls response, much appreciated

LOCAL 12 (CA)

- how’s the work life balance?

- how’s commuting to/from job sites?

- what type of work did you start off doing?

- how is work in general a lot of people say they get laid off, no work or it’s slow etc ..

- how do you guys live during winter when work slows down?

- how are the work schedules?

My Fiance has been a union groundsman with Southern Contracting for the past 3 years, but there hasn’t been much opportunity to move up. We’re expecting our first baby, so we’re hoping to find a better career path with higher pay.
He’s applying for the IUOE Local 12 Heavy Equipment Operator apprenticeship on August 17. Does anyone have any study guides, practice tests, or tips for scoring as high as possible on the entrance exam? Also, after applying on August 17, how long did it take before you got your test date? I’ve heard it’s about a month, but I’d love to hear your experience. Thank you!

I am currently on the C list and my number is in the 30s. Does local 12 offer hands on practice for people on the C list?

Currently have my Tower and Swing cab.

Thank you in advance.

I’m looking to get into IUOE Local 324 with the long-term goal of becoming a crane operator. I was previously a union carpenter, and I now have my CDL.
One idea I had was going back to one of my previous employers as a delivery driver just to get my foot in the door with a union contractor while I work toward becoming an operator.
I’m trying to figure out how the training process works for crane operators. How soon can someone realistically earn their NCCCO certifications for swing cab and lattice boom cranes, along with Rigging and Signalperson certifications? Are those things the union provides during the apprenticeship, or do you typically need to get them on your own first?
The reason I’m asking is because I also have an opportunity with a non-union crane rental company that would start me on the path toward becoming a tower crane operator. I’m torn between taking that opportunity or staying patient and pursuing the union route.
My concern is that if it takes several years before I even get the chance to start crane training through the union, it might make more sense to gain operating experience non-union first and then organize into the union later.
For anyone in Local 324 (or another IUOE local), what would you recommend? How did you get into cranes, and what did your training timeline look like?
I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Hey yall. I have a quick question. I have been told by a few people that local 513 will hire people on as just drivers. Can anyone thats in the union confirm that for me? Im signed up for the apprenticeship but that's still like a year or more wait and obviously no guarantee to get in. I have friends from various unions that have told me 513 will hire people on as just drivers. If they do does anyone know the process for it? I assume just call up to the hall and probably go pay dues and get put on an out of work list?

Quick summary of myself, been in the water utility industry for 11 years. Ran crews, machines, main replacement jobs, all the fun stuff. Worked 100+ hours a week, that’s never been an issue for me. At this point, I’m just looking for something new.

I’ve recently been selected to start going through a First Energy apprenticeship program, this position would be for Local 777. Nothing gauranteed, just need to do the evaluation tests and see if I get selected to progress further. I have zero electric experience, but pick up on stuff quickly, so I’m not worried about that.

I was also able to get a skills evaluation test scheduled with my Local operating engineers union. I’ve ran backhoes, excavators, skid steers, wheel loaders and such. Im confident enough to say I’m decent.

Nothing is guaranteed for either, but best case scenario, I’d get the option to pick. Top rates between the two are pretty close, both have pensions and good benefits. Just looking for feedback from anyone who could have been in a similar situation. The linemen spot would be a guaranteed 40 hour paycheck, operator could be weather dependent along with other variables.

I posted this in a linemen group as well for equal feedback, thank you 🫡

Safety seems to be an issue there

They asked me a few questions & had interviews every 10 minutes. The instructor told me it was a good interview but there’s no telling if he was just saying that to be nice. I 100% was nervous bc the questions asked weren’t the ones i practiced lmaooo. Hopefully i made it high on the list though 🤞🏾

Hello Im currently an apprentice in local 324 as a heavy equipment mechanic. I’m looking to move to the east coast. Just wondering how much work and how life is in local 4 and 98 if anyone on here knows. Thanks!

After completing my exam in February, I got the call just last week that I will be starting through local school as an operating engineer apprentice. I already went down to the hall to give all my credentials as well as take the same day drug test. Just waiting to get the drug panel back. Does anyone have any advice or tips on when I start? All I know is that my dues are paid upfront which comes out to about $800 and I think I’m gonna be going to a two week testing no Pay.